Marshall Texas history, attractions, landmarks, events, photos. (original) (raw)
Historical Tidbits
Marshall was always prosperous and its contributions to the Confederacy were substantial. During the war, Confederates in Missouri sent "their" government people and some state archives to Marshall, making the town the Confederate Capital of Missouri. Missouri never officially left the Union, but it gives us something to talk about today. The building was long ago razed, but the address was 402 South Bolivar Street.
Historical Marker:
MARSHALL
Two years after Harrison County was created by the Republic of Texas Congress in 1839, landowner Peter Whetstone offered property for a courthouse, a church, and a school in an effort to persuade county officials to locate the seat of government in the new town formed on his land. Isaac Van Zandt, the local representative to the Republic Congress, named the new community Marshall in honor of U. S. Chief Justice John Marshall.
By 1850 it had become one of the wealthiest towns in East Texas, with a population of about 2,000 and a number of cultural, religious, and civic organizations. An important Confederate stronghold during the Civil War, Marshall was home to the wartime capital of Missouri and the postal headquarters of the South's Trans-Mississippi Department. Following the war, it was the site of an office of the Freedmen's Bureau. After the Texas and Pacific Railway located its division point, shops, and offices here in the 1870s, Marshall became a major regional marketing and educational center. Colleges located here included Marshall University, Marshall Masonic Female Institute, Wiley College, Bishop College, and East Texas Baptist College (later East Texas Baptist University).
(1964)
Marshall, Texas Attractions & Landmarks
- The Starr Family State Historic Site
See "The Starr Family Mansion" by Archie P. McDonald, PhD
The given name to the mansion was "Maplecroft". - Ginnocchio National Historic District
A three square block area next to the recently restored T & P Railroad Depot. The Ginnocchio Hotel (circa 1896) gives the district its name, although it includes many other fine examples of Victorian architecture. - Marshall Pottery & Museum
FM 31 - 21/2 miles SW of Town - 903-938-9201 - Driving Tours include The Lale Trail, a tour of historic Marshall homes and The Stagecoach Trace which is a tour of Harrison County.
- Local Cemeteries include Scottsville, Powdermill and Old Marshall.
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The Old Paramount Theatre TE Photo, 2000 |
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Marshall Events
- "Stagecoach Days" Celebration -
The third weekend in May Marshall celebrates it's past and the Old Stagecoach road is remembered. The stage ran from Karnack to Marshall. Contact the Chamber of Commerce: 903-935-7868 - Wonderland of Lights -
Thanksgiving to New Year's Day
Marshall is famous for the elaborate lighting of their courthouse.
Call 903-935-7868 for information. - Holiday Trail of Lights -
A Christmas Treat. Stops includes Marshall, Jefferson and Kilgore in East Texas and Natchitoches and Shreveport in Louisiana. - Celebrating the Fire Ant by Michael Barr
- Marshall Fire Ant Festival "Moore Texas Cartoon"
- Book Hotel Here - Marshall Hotels ›
Marshall, Texas Chronicles
- A Civil War Journal by Bob Bowman
In early 1861, W.W. Heartsill of Marshall, Texas, marched off to war with W.P. Lane�s Rangers of the Confederate Army. During the four years, one month and one day that he spent at war, Heartsill managed to keep a diary of each day... - James Harper Starr by Archie P. McDonald
- Governor by Chance - Edward Clark by Archie P. McDonald
- Old Time Judge Thomas Whitfield Davidson by Archie P. McDonald
- East Texas Bapist University by Archie P. McDonald
- Wired by Mike Cox
"... On Feb. 14, 1854, the Texas and Red River Telegraph Co. opened for business in Marshall, the first city in the state to have some semblance of the instant communication now taken for granted in the age of Blackberries and Ipods. This first telegraph line connected Marshall with New Orleans via Shreveport, Alexandria, La., and Natchez, Miss. From New Orleans, messages could be transmitted to other major American cities...." - �Go straight to hell.� by Bob Bowman
Sam B. Hall, Jr., the son of an East Texas lawyer and judge who rose to a leadership role in Congress and finished his career as a federal judge, was one of East Texas� most interesting contemporary politicians. - Profile of an Actor: Maurice Barrymore by John Troesser
Marshall was indirectly responsible for launching the Barrymore Dynasty. - The Barrymore Shooting by Bob Bowman
History Cartoons by Roger T. Moore - Marshall Fire Ant Festival
- Meteorite Falls in Marshall, Texas
- Rev. Burrell Cannon Ezekiel Airship
Marshall Architecture / Images
Washington Street looking south, with a view of the courthouse
1940s postcard courtesy rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
Vintage postcards courtesy rootsweb.com/%7Etxpstcrd/
Marshall Tourist Information
The Marshall Chamber of Commerce - 903-935-7868
213 West Austin Street.
http://www.marshall-chamber.com/ Book Hotel - Marshall Hotels ›
"Hauling Cotton to Market"
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
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